Collision With Utility Pole Closes Section of State Road

Staff Reports03:32PM / Friday December 01, 2017

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A section of State Road was closed down on Friday afternoon after a sport-utility vehicle took out a utility pole.

The single-vehicle crash occurred at about 2:30 p.m. near George Avenue, just west of Stop & Shop. The late-model charcoal Honda Pilot was headed east when the driver apparently veered across the westbound lane and struck the pole, breaking it and sending the transformer and connected wires into Route 2.

The driver was the only occupant of the Honda and was attended to by North Adams Ambulance personnel. The Honda incurred major damage to the front end and pieces of it were strewn across the road. It was taken from the scene by Cariddi Auto.

Both lanes were closed and traffic detoured over Protection and Ashton avenues, causing significant backups both ways. The roadway was not expected to open for some time as National Grid was being called in to replace the pole and wires.

North Adams Police and Fire responded. Police said the accident is under investigation.

No One Injured in North Adams Head-On Collision

Staff Reports01:38PM / Thursday November 16, 2017

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A head-on collision on Thursday closed a section of Massachusetts Avenue for close to an hour.

No one was hurt in the noontime accident but both vehicles had to be towed from scene.

The accident occurred near 1406 Mass Ave., near the Blackinton Honor Roll shortly after noon. A westbound red older model Ford Explorer crossed the center line into the path of an eastbound gray Dodge Caravan, knocking the van up onto the banking on the north side of the road.

Lt. Jason Wood said driver of the Ford told police he had dropped his cup of coffee, distracting him as the van was approaching. The driver was cited for not having a driver's license.

Both vehicles incurred front-end damage on their passenger sides; the van's front end was crumpled. The Ford was removed by Mohawk Auto and the van by Dean's Towing.

North Adams Accident Closes Union Street

Staff Reports01:12PM / Friday November 03, 2017

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A motorist who lost conscious while driving on Union Street Friday morning was revived and taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Police said the woman smashed into a guardrail on Beaver Street and then continued west onto Union Street, where her late model silver Camry sedan hopped the curbing and scraped against about 20 feet of guardrail before coming to a stop.

The accident occurred just east of the Eclipse Mill, after the curve on Union Street past Gallup, around 11 a.m. The front passenger side of the vehicle was heavily damaged.

The woman was alone in the vehicle and it's unknown if a medical condition caused her to pass out. The accident is under investigation.

Union Street was closed between Gallup and Miner streets for nearly an hour; the Fire Department and Clarksburg Police also responded. Mohawk Auto took the car away.

North Adams Police Investigating Home Invasion

Staff Reports02:45PM / Tuesday October 10, 2017

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — State and local police are investigating a reported armed home invasion on Washington Avenue.

According to a safety alert sent out by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts campus police, three men left the scene in a blue Volvo late Tuesday morning.

One was armed with a handgun.

North Adams Lt. Jason Wood said the reported invasion is believed to be an isolated incident and residents do not have to take extraordinary precautions other than being observant of their surroundings.

"It's still unfolding," he said. "That's the best we can do right now."

Chaircar Van Collides With Two House in North Adams

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff01:08PM / Friday September 29, 2017

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A County Ambulance Chaircar Service van crashed through the corner of one house and into another on State Road early Friday afternoon after the driver fell unconscious.

"Apparently the driver had some type of medical episode and slumped over and the vehicle proceeded to drive right off the road," Police Director Michael Cozzagio said. "The driver was pulled out of the van, CPR was in progress and they are transporting him to the hospital, unknown on his condition."

There was one passenger in the van in a wheelchair who was being taken to a medical appointment. The passenger had been strapped in securely but was shaken up, Cozzaglio said, and also was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

"He appeared to be OK but he was shaken up having just had a conversation with the driver, he witnessed the event," he said. "The driver suddenly slumped over and the accident occurred."

There were occupants in the two houses but no one else was injured.

The Ford van was heading east at about 12:35 p.m. when it appears to have jumped the curb near Grant Street; tire tracks could be seen in the grass as it crossed several lawns and plowed into the east corner of 284 State Road, then through a simple fence and came to rest on the corner of 282 State Road.

Both single-family homes incurred damage, but 284 State suffered the worst. The east column of an enclosed porched was ripped out and the entire enclosure, including the front door, pulled away from the main building.

Building Inspector William Meranti inspected the building and found no further damage to the main structure. Fire Director Stephen Meranti said the power had been turned off but an electrician was hand to restore it so the homeowners could stay.

The house at 282 State appeared to have minimal damage to the west corner of an enclosed porch although several concrete blocks in the foundation were pushed in.

The State Road accident came on the heels of two other more minor accidents, one at River and Canal and another on Church Street, all within 20 minutes or so.

State Road was reduced to the westbound lane for about an hour. The van was towed by Mohawk Auto Wrecking.